Becoming Leida

The fascinating debut novel by Canadian author, in the fantastical format Inspiria and in the brilliant translation by Tatyana Pokidayeva (translator of “Burnt Sugar” and “Merciless”), based on Celtic and Scandinavian folklore, will immerse you in the world of human feelings that torment everyone from the very beginning of time.

Norway, the 19th century. Peter, a sailor, saves a girl after a shipwreck and falls in love. Maevya is not like ordinary people, and Peter knows this when he proposes to her. He is blinded by love and hopes that Maevya will fit into his world, where half the people pray to the Christian God, and the other half secretly worship Odin and Skuld. He prefers not to notice the changes happening to his wife—her desire to go back home. Just as he also doesn’t notice the unusual features of their daughter, which become clearer every day.

But Maevya is called by the sea—and by the one who has dreamed for many years of reuniting with her. And their daughter, Leyda, may one day follow her…

How far can a person go when trying to keep their loved ones close? And what will a woman do when she desperately wants to save her daughter and return home?